Does DOGTV actually relieve separation anxiety in dogs?

Virginia Chavez-Nelson is an avid contributor of words for the greater good (see: writer) and a fun-loving Phoenician by way of Argentina. With a degree in Journalism from Arizona State University, Virginia has more than 10 years of expe...

Network television goes to the dogs

If you're among the 40 percent of dog-owning households, you're likely familiar with the struggle of the daily grind. We're not talking about the grueling commute to work or the eight plus hours put in at the office. We're referring to the pit in your stomach that grows when you have to leave your dog home alone while you go to work to put kibble in the bowl. Could DOGTV mean the end of sluggish dog days, or simply another way to fatten the wallets of network execs?

Photo credit: Manabu Ogasawara/Stockbyte/Getty Images

How it works

Boldly promising stay-at-home dogs escape from boredom and loneliness, DOGTV offers a network of scientifically curated television content comprised to mentally stimulate canines through sight and sound. Featuring a variety of sense-stimulating shows, like the relaxation clip shown below, each program is targeted toward one of three categories: relaxation, stimulation or exposure.

Because dogs are color blind, DOGTV specially colors its programs by putting emphasis on hues dogs can see, like blue and yellow. According to the network, unique canine considerations are also incorporated in terms of contrast, brightness and frame rate, as well as the use of special sound effects to pique a dog’s particular sense of hearing without startling or annoying its sensitive ears.

Does it work?

Don't knock it until you try it. Critics of DOGTV argue that the network lacks the ability to provide olfactory and tactile stimulations. Meaning, because DOGTV cannot be smelled, pawed or chewed, the television show, therefore, does not provide a fully enriched environment. However, according to DOGTV, the company spent years of research to develop content that addresses specific attributes of a dog’s sense of vision and hearing and that supports its natural behavior patterns. Vouching for the product, CEO Gilad Neumann tells Forbes in a recent interview that the concept can act as a cure for the gnawing emotional distress that many housebound animals experience.

Is it for you?

All dogs, households and activity levels are different. Depending on your dog, this might be the best option or not an option at all. The only way to really know if DOGTV is right for you and your pet is to try it. And for less than $5 per month, what do you have to lose? To measure its success, monitor your pet's behaviors daily by jotting them down in a journal (trust us, you won't remember the subtle differences by relying on memory alone). If you're really curious, set up a remote camera to monitor you pet's behaviors. Watch from your mobile device or stream it at work. Watching your pet watching TV could be the highlight of your workweek.